To the initiated, it comes as no surprise that our island has served up some prominent faces at fashion weeks over the decades. From top model Ethel Fong – who was the first Singaporean to sign with American modelling giant Ford Models – to Yves Saint Laurent muse Hanis Hussey, the path to international runways has been well-paved. Fast forward to current day and a group of new gen models are following suit. Flip the gallery above for a look at the local faces that blazed Gucci, Marine Serre and Emporio Armani – to name a few – this Spring Summer 2020.
Gucci Spring Summer 2020
Layla Ong needs no introduction. In the span of two short years, the 24-year-old and former Asia’s Next Top Model contender – who first graced our November 2017 cover – has amassed an impressive resume. She copped her very first Gucci show for Fall Winter ’18 and has since secured an exclusive Milan Fashion Week contract with the Italian luxury house. Most recently, Ong has found herself apart of Gucci Beauty’s brand new campaign and has modelled for the likes of MSGM and Rodarte. This season, her alt-girl beauty has blazed the runways of Gucci, Noon by Noor, Adeam and Matthew Adams Dolan.
Noon By Noor Spring Summer 2020
Emporio Armani Spring Summer 2020
Spring Summer 2020 has proven to be a busy one for 20-year-old Kaci Beh. Having only kickstarted her career two years ago, the model – who’s currently signed with Singaporean modelling agency, Basic Models – has seamlessly walked her way through both London and Milan’s fashion weeks. In her SS20 rolodex: Stella Jean, Dolce & Gabbana, Aigner, Emporio Armani, Marco Rambaldi and Tiziano Guardini. We’d say Beh’s on an absolute roll.
Aigner Spring Summer 2020
Marine Serre Spring Summer 2020
Just five years ago, now-21-year-old Diya Prabhakar had won The New Paper New Face modelling competition. Since then, the curly-haired beauty’s career has taken off. Having gotten her first major break walking for Prabal Gurung in his SS19 show and starring in the house’s campaign shortly after, Prabhakar has since lent her statuesque, elegant look to Area, Oscar de le Renta and 3.1 Phillip Lim. Spring Summer 2020 has shown no signs of her slowing down, with Alexander Wang, Marine Serre, Dolce & Gabbana and Area all under her belt.
Aigner Spring Summer 2020
Stella Jean Spring Summer 2020
Also a former The New Paper New Face contestant, 18-year-old Ashley Soo currently stands as one of the youngest Singaporean runway models. Soo got her fashion week break walking for Italian fashion label Sartorial Monk’s Fall Winter ’18 collection. Spring Summer 2020 sees Soo in more feminine fits for Italian womenswear label Stella Jean’s runway show. We’d say she’s definitely one to watch.
Dries Van Noten Spring Summer 2020
This former business management and biology student has made waves since clinching the winning spot at The New Paper New Face’s 2017 run. Armed with an ultra-chic pixie and seamlessly editorial look – which most recently appeared in our September New Bohemia issue – Yong walked for the fashion collaboration of the year: Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix.